Southern Miss’ women’s basketball coach, who has worked for five athletic directors during her career in Hattiesburg — two as an assistant and three as a head coach, understands the importance of having everyone on the same page.

She’s found that in current athletic director Bill McGillis.

“He treats us as if we’re all on the same team as a staff,” said Lee-McNelis, who also worked for three athletic directors while head coach at Memphis. “He meets with all the head coaches once a month and gives us an opportunity to let our guard down in a relaxed atmosphere. I’ve never had that in all my years as a head coach. It’s really helped the camaraderie of the head coaches in our department.”

Since being named athletic director on July 18, 2013, McGillis not only has increased camaraderie among coaches, but he also has presided over the program during what was a big year for Southern Miss sports.

Bring up the highlights of his first year as a Golden Eagle and the Washington state native beams with pride, citing the successes of both the men’s and women’s basketball teams among the peaks. Ask about the opposite and he acknowledges the program’s struggles and shortcomings, which include a 1-11 football record.

“The achievements of our student-athletes and the passion of our fans are the two things that stand out for me,” he said. “But it’s unbelievable how fast (the year has) gone by. Unbelievable. It has flown by.

“After (one year), it’s great to be a Golden Eagle. That was a statement that Powell Ogletree, I think, coined back in the day. And that’s how I see it. That’s how my first year has been.”

McGillis succeeded Jeff Hammond, whose contract was not renewed by university President Rodney Bennett after one year as athletic director. The decision not to retain Hammond as athletic director was largely unpopular among the Southern Miss fan base, and continues to be a point of contention for many Golden Eagle fans.

Requests for comment about McGillis’ first year from Bennett through a university spokesman were unsuccessful.

McGillis came to Southern Miss with a decorated background in revenue generation and facility improvements. After inheriting a program in need of both, the 51-year-old has made strides in addressing those needs.

In November, McGillis brokered a deal with the University of Alabama in which the Crimson Tide will host Southern Miss in September, a pact that will yield a financial windfall of $1.4 million for the university.

In addition, he signed former men’s basketball coach Donnie Tyndall to a new contract in January that included a buyout clause that totaled $500,000 when Tyndall left in April for Tennessee.

More recently, McGillis hired Populous, a sports architecture firm based in Kansas City, Missouri, to draw up a facility feasibility report for prospective renovations to Reed Green Coliseum, as well as the student-athletes’ academic center. He said he expects to have that report in hand by the end of the month.

Longtime Southern Miss fan Harry Goff said his opinion of McGillis hasn’t changed since he was hired, and he’s confident in him going forward.

“Every (athletic director) has their own personality and style, and McGillis is different than the previous two we’ve had,” said Goff, who is a member of the Eagle Club, Hardwood Club and Dugout Club, as well as a football, basketball and baseball season ticket holder. “(But) he certainly has the background and experience to do great things at Southern Miss. I am glad we have him, and he has my full support.”

But McGillis has been criticized by some fans in year one for a lack of accessibility and communication.

“We would like to hear from our (athletic director),” said James Geoghegan, a Southern Miss graduate and football season ticket holder for more than 20 years. “I have spoken with others who are equally frustrated. We would like to hear his message, be it good or bad (regarding) the future of USM (athletics).”

It’s not all about revenue streams and bigger, better facilities that drives McGillis, who came to Southern Miss after six years as associate athletic director at South Florida.

“(When I think about my first year at Southern Miss) I think about stories like Alex Doleac, who didn’t play a year ago,” he said. “Had left our tennis program and had semi-retired from the sport. He chose to come back this year as a senior and play for our new head coach, Zubin Engineer.

“He has an outstanding season on the court and earns a 4.0 (grade-point average). A lot of stories like that.”

Lee-McNelis has witnessed McGillis’ well-rounded approach to the job.

“I think Bill has brought a new energy to our athletic department and to the university,” she said.

“He’s laid out a master plan for what he wants Southern Miss to become. But he also genuinely cares for the student-athletes and the coaches.

“He’s taken what our former athletic directors have done and is using their work and their success as a springboard for a brighter future at Southern Miss.”

It’s that future which matters most to McGillis.

“I’m focused on looking ahead,” he said. “Passionate fans are a big plus here. We’ve just got to build our fan base. We’ve just got to keep building our fan base a day at a time.”

Which is good news for Geoghegan.

“This is a critical time in our athletic future,” he said. “I am hopeful he is working behind the scenes to make things happen.”

Year one under Bill McGillis

Southern Miss named Bill McGillis as athletic director on July 18, 2013. Some of the more notable Golden Eagle achievements and

accomplishments during the past year include:

With a 62-27 win over UAB on Nov. 30, the Southern Miss football team snaps the nation’s longest active losing streak at 23 games.

The men’s and women’s basketball teams combined to win 56 games last season, the seventh-most of any Division I school in the country.

Signed former men’s basketball coach Donnie Tyndall to a new contract that included a $500,000 buyout clause if he opted out of the deal prior to a pre-determined date.

Reached an agreement with Alabama in which the Crimson Tide will pay $1.4 million to host a football game against the Golden Eagles in September.